Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 137

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

यत्सत्यं ब्रह्म इत्याहुर् असत्यं ब्रह्मदूषणम् अनृतं परुषं शाठ्यं पैशुन्यं पापहेतुकम्

Transliteration

yatsatyaṃ brahma ityāhur asatyaṃ brahmadūṣaṇam anṛtaṃ paruṣaṃ śāṭhyaṃ paiśunyaṃ pāpahetukam

Translation

Người xưa tuyên rằng: “Chân thật chính là Brahman”; còn dối trá là sự làm hoen ố Brahman. Lời gian dối, lời thô bạo, sự xảo trá và lời vu khống là những nhân gây tội—những sợi trói pāśa ngăn paśu (linh hồn) quay về Pati, đức Chúa Śiva.

Word by Word

• yat: that which

• satyam: truth

• brahma: Brahman / the Absolute

• iti: thus

• āhuḥ: they say

• asatyam: falsehood

• brahma-dūṣaṇam: a taint/defilement of Brahman

• anṛtam: untruth/lying

• paruṣam: harsh/abusive speech

• śāṭhyam: deceit/crookedness

• paiśunyam: backbiting/slander

• pāpa-hetukam: the cause of sin

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It establishes inner purity as the foundation of Linga-puja: truth aligns the devotee with Brahman/Śiva, while lying, harsh speech, deceit, and slander create pāśa (bondage) that blocks the fruit of worship.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By identifying satya with Brahman, it points to Shiva-tattva as the stainless Reality; falsehood is portrayed as a ‘taint’ that veils the soul’s recognition of Pati (Śiva) and strengthens impurity and limitation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vāk-śuddhi (purification of speech) and yama-like restraints—truthfulness, non-deceit, and non-slander—are implied as essential disciplines supporting Pashupata-oriented sadhana and effective Shiva-puja.